© vladimircaribb / Adobe Stock
Think of Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night immediately springs to mind, but what's the story behind this annual celebration and what little-known facts exist? The story of Guy Fawkes Born in York in 1570, Guy, or Guido, Fawkes joined 13 staunch Catholic conspirators who plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Guy Fawkes might be the most famous of the conspirators, but it was actually Robert Catesby who was the plot's ringmaster. Fellow plotter Thomas Wintour recruited courageous soldier Fawkes, as they needed a gang member with a military background and knowledge of explosives - and Fawkes fitted the bill perfectly. Why were these young men intent on blowing up Parliament? It was down to religion. England was under Protestant reign at the time, and newly crowned King James I failed to show any sympathy towards the Catholics. By toppling the Crown, these Roman Catholic activists hoped their religion would no longer suffer persecution. The plot Known as the Gunpowder Plot, the conspirators hired a cellar underneath Westminster Palace. Fawkes concealed 36 barrels of explosives ready to detonate during the state opening of Parliament on 5 November, 1605. However, things didn't go to plan. An anonymous letter, allegedly written by conspirator Francis Tresham, was sent to his brother-in-law, Lord Monteagle, warning him to stay away from the building. The letter was intercepted and the Gunpowder Plot foiled. Guy Fawkes, who was guarding the gunpowder, was captured and tortured, until he confessed the names of his co-conspirators. The plotters were found guilty of gunpowder, treason and plot, and were publicly hung, drawn and quartered, but not Guy Fawkes! Just before he was about to be executed, he leapt from the gallows and died from a broken neck. Despite Fawkes' grizzly end, it's thought that his steadfast manner earned him secret admiration from King James I. Subsequently, some experts claimed that the amount of gunpowder hidden could have caused structural damage up to a third of a mile away, while others argued it was 'too old' to have even ignited. Celebrating Bonfire Night To commemorate the Gunpowder Plot failure, Parliament announced that an annual day of thanksgiving would be celebrated every 5 November. An Observance of 5th November Act was passed in 1606, naming it Gunpowder Treason Day. However, by 1859, this Act was repealed. Gunpowder Treason Day became Guy Fawkes Night. Today, it's more commonly known as Bonfire Night. The annual celebration is marked by a number of traditions, many of which continue to this day. During the 18th century, masked children would parade the streets, begging 'a penny for the guy' for their homemade straw dummy, which would be burnt on top of a fire. Although this originally represented the Catholic Pope, effigies later resembled Guy Fawkes, as the religious element to the celebration waned. Although it was illegal not to celebrate Bonfire Night up until 1959, it's still a major event in the UK and some Commonwealth countries. As well as burning a bonfire, the night sky is lit up with fireworks and sparklers, to represent the explosives used in the Gunpowder Plot. Toffee apples, parkin cake and jacket potatoes are traditionally served. Some traditions vary locally, with the most famous held at Ottery St Mary in Devon, where barrels of tar are set alight and carried throughout the town. You won't find any Bonfire Night celebrations taking place at St Peter's School in York, however. This former school of Guy Fawkes himself bans celebrations, as a mark of respect for its former pupil. To this day, the Houses of Parliament are still searched annually before the state opening to check for potential conspirators or explosives. This is more for ceremony than an anti-terrorism measure. However, the original cellar used by Fawkes was destroyed in a fire in 1834. Wherever you take part in Bonfire Night celebrations and whatever traditions you get involved in, make sure you look the part in warm, protective and stylish clothing and footwear from Griggs.We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.